THE BUSINESS MIND VS. THE Creative MIND: WHICH ARE YOU?
How the Creative-Minded Individual Can Lean Into Their Business-Minded Side
THEN DO this
IF YOU...
Ask questions! There really is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of your programs. Knowledge is power, and it is important you seek out more knowledge!
Are intimidated or confused by the financial aspect of your programs
Think how gathering numbers and data allow you to be more effectively creative in your programs! This information will help guide your creativity when problem-solving, designing change programs, and creating your latest innovations. Talk it out with your team! The best way to become comfortable speaking on a topic, is to talk your thoughts out loud among individuals whom you feel safe and free of judgment. You will come to find that talking your thoughts out loud with another individual will actually help you dissect a topic and point out gaps of information you are missing.
Lack interest in numbers and data
Lack confidence when speaking on the business aspect of your programs
Don’t know what information you should be gathering to make sound business decisions Made a poor financial decision with the best of intentions
Use your resources! There are so many resources available regarding what data to consider when managing a school nutrition program. My personal favorite? The Institute of Child Nutrition has amazing resources on financial management!
KEEP READING Give yourself grace! Sometimes the best lessons are the most painful. Even the most experienced SNPs make mistakes. No one is perfect, so don’t let a mishap make you feel less confident in your abilities. The best thing you can do is learn from the mistake and take what you have learned to not only avoid the mistake in the future, but to help others also avoid making the same mistake. Brainstorm with someone on your team who is more detail-oriented. This individual will ask questions and point out details you haven’t considered. They will also help you organize your big ideas and make them feasible so they can actually be executed. Two minds are always better than one!
Are the visionary who prefers to think big picture
Whether you are naturally business-minded or creative-minded, you can always work on strengthening your weakness. There is no final destination as a school nutrition professional; there is always something new to learn and a new challenge to overcome. By growing in both of these areas to become well-rounded, you will find yourself to be an effective and confident school nutrition professional!
Stefanie Giannini, MA, SNS | IVATI, Founder; Director of Food & Nutrition Services (IL) Stefanie Giannini, founder of IVATI, is a speaker, educator, and content creator on a mission to inspire and cultivate every individual’s identity and development as a leader; she holds a fierce passion for personal and professional growth, critical reflection, and building quality relationships. Stefanie holds a Bachelor’s in Food & Nutrition Management from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning from George Washington University. In addition to her work with IVATI, she works in the school nutrition industry as the Director of Food & Nutrition Services for a K-8 school district in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
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